South Philly Review

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This is the second in a three-part series previewing the Jan. 1 Fancy Brigade Finale Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The Fancy Brigades, one of the five divisions that march up South Broad Street in the Philadelphia Mummers Parade, puts on massive shows each year: Jarringly different from that of their counter parts in the String Band division. While String Band shows rely heavily on music and showmanship, a brigade show focuses on beautiful, mummerized costumes; large, extravagant props; and heart-pounding, synchronized, yet raucous drills that never stop moving. These are all brought together under an often complex, yet cohesive theme.

Fancy Brigade shows had grown so large in size and scope that an alternative to Broad Street was sought.

Broad Street has been the home to the Mummers Parade since its “organized” inception in 1901. While not as important, the feeling of marching up Broad can only be equated to a soldier parading through ticker tape when returning from war. From that turn of the century until the Fancy Brigades’ infancy in the ’50s, people lined Broad, decked out in their finest attire, braving bitter, icy-cold weather, to view the beautiful costumes adorning the oncoming Mummers.

During that time, costumes were presented and members paraded, doing the Mummers strut to entertain the throngs lining the jampacked sidewalks. The costumes were so extravagant that some captains had block-long capes, measuring 500 feet, carried by page boys on both sides to hold up its entire length.

With the advent of television, the public demand for bigger and better entertainment forced the Fancy Brigades to rethink its approach. A typical brigade then began to perform shows organized under specific themes that presented an idea brought to life through the art of music and dance.

With each passing year, the pioneering Fancy Brigades outdid themselves, one-upping the competition to put on the best show possible: Setting the standard for today’s, over-the-top, unequaled extreme style and structure.

By the end of the ’90s though, a brigade show had seemingly outgrown Broad Street and was in need of a change.

As the attention span of the MTV generation grew shorter, it became apparent that the already explosive brigade shows had to go to an even greater level. But pushing the ever-growing props up the almost four-mile-long route had become a chore and caused large gaps in the lineup. Moving the judged show into a set, structured arena was the best option to keep the Fancy Brigades on an ever-evolving course of success.

The reality of an indoor, guaranteed show came to fruition Jan. 1, ’97. The first, judged Fancy Brigade show went off with a few bugs, but was more spectacular than anyone could have imagined. This past year, the Fancy Brigades celebrated its 15th anniversary as an indoor attraction.

The brigades still perform on Broad Street, but the difference is, the brisk pace of the streamlined clubs, minus the bulky floats, makes for a smoother trek. Each brigade typically adapts their indoor show into a “street show” for the waiting crowds on Broad. The result is satisfied crowds that no longer have to endure that cold weather, for long periods with gaps that are blocks long. The day ends with each brigade, returning to the Convention Center to perform their intact shows for the judges and an arena full of even more excited fans.

The decision to move indoors had many thinking it would forever alter the Mummers Parade. But, to the contrary, it has made the annual event into a greater asset, as not only a Philadelphia treasure, but a budget-friendly festival for the City.

The changes to an indoor show and to shorten the parade’s length saves the City by decreasing money spent on police, fire and sanitation overtime. Also, with the parade ending earlier, it allows spectators to follow the fun to Second Street or by going to a local restaurant or bar to continue their party.

As it was at its start 15 years ago, the scale of each show changes annually, as have the brigades’ use of its own creativity to generate monies for the expanding shows. Each year, a Fancy Brigade show ranges from $80,000 to $150,000. The brigades can no longer count on prize money to put toward the next year’s show, so each club develops its own means to generate cash. Whether it’s beef and beers, raffle tickets or performing around the country, each is a way to not only raise money, but to also bring greater awareness to the Fancy Brigades, the Mummers and Philly.

The brigades have also collectively organized their resources to raise money. Ticket sales, as well as selling sponsorships and executive boxes for the yearly Fancy Brigade Finale are new ways to adapt in our declining economy. Another great change the brigades have made is to make group purchases. Clubs band together and buy materials for the upcoming shows as one entity. It’s an option that not only saves a great deal of money but, is a great way to help the local community.

Most of the money spent each year on a Fancy Brigade show is spent locally. Buying wood for floats at local stores as well as materials for costumes and props generates close to $1 million annually. On top of that, patronizing local costumers, choreographers, designers, painters and builders helps to keep communities healthy.

The biggest Fancy Brigade change probably has come in the form of camaraderie. While the brigades perform in a competition each year, they’ve also learned to rely on one another for support. Being together the last week of the year to work alongside each other enables everyone to share the resources needed to complete the show and to compete.

Never forgetting the distant memories of the Fancy Brigades’ founding fathers and their guiding steps has opened the door to a greater success than imagined. With its family values, nurturing friendships and accepting the necessary change to forge ahead, there’s no telling what the future holds for the Fancy Brigades. But I’m sure it’s going to be one hell of a fun ride.

Visit fancybrigade.com. Purchase tickets for the Fancy Brigade Finale at ComcastTix.com.

Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.